Cedar Elm Grove in Sunlight

14 x 11 oil on panel

Day two on this painting of a grove of cedar elms in the afternoon sun.  The first day I had a lot of low hanging branches obscuring my view of many of the tree trunks behind them.  I ended up doing quite a bit of tree trimming after I put my paint away so today I could see all 25 or so of them.  It was interesting how the light was a different color this afternoon even though it was, I believe, just as sunny as it was on Monday.  I will keep plugging away on landscapes even though they really challenge me.

Portrait of Loren

11 x 14 oil on canvas panel
My subject is the cherished daughter of my friend Janie.  Loren, whose exotic beauty stunned people everywhere she went, was deeply in love and engaged to be married at the time she passed away after a long battle with cancer.  I feel so honored that her mother asked me to paint her for her project in Africa, Loren's Hope, as it was always Loren's desire to go to Africa.  Her portrait will hang there in the medical mission in Arusha, Tanzania after my friend Lori Dunne frames it.  Thank you again, Janie, for this privilege.

Portrait of Mandy

24 x 30 x 1.5 oil on gallery wrapped canvas

This is a portrait for my husband's brother Roy and his family.  My late very-adored mother in law Mary Love commissioned me to paint Mandy.  Mandy was a much beloved Sheltie with really soft fur and always had a happy smile, never met a stranger, all those wonderful traits.  She looks like a small Lassie to me except that she is a sheltie, not a collie.  Looking forward to delivering this and glad to have kept my promise to Mary Love.  Both she and Mandy are now in heaven getting their well-deserved rewards.  Two very loved girls.

Pears Near Window

12 x 12 oil on Ampersand panel   SOLD


Today I was going for a limited palette, hoping to tie everything together well.  Also had in mind loose edges and attempting to capture the light on the form.   I still didn't get the feeling of volume I was seeking and I can see that my values are still too similar, need to shoot for some stronger darks next time.  I do like these colors I got though, and I like that the brushstrokes have a similar feeling to what I did in the last boots painting.  But the main thing is, back at it.  I tried yesterday and wiped it.  Does anyone really want to look at a bicycle seat?  Too bad if so, it's history!